Selfish, In a Sense
- Tiffany Grantham
Selfish is pouring from an overflowing cup,
but only for those you choose.
It's kindness on reserve
and playing nice nevermore.
It is a cooling water baptism leaving the old self to drown;
trapped down by the riverside.
It is showing up in full self or not at all, no matter who is all over there.
It's saving your energy for people and conversations filled with love and support; shady whispers and negativity no longer receive your attention.
It’s “no” tasting of honey
And, watching it burn the ears
of those with a belly full of yeses.
It’s no longer playing small or
being cool with the play of others.
Instead, you serve them a full plate of your authenticity
To eat…or choke.
It is the brand new me most have never seen.
But some? Some have always known me.
They saw me,
Wondering why it took so long to come to me.
A joyful noise stirs when you show up with
All. Yo. Stuff.
It is boundary-creating and protecting.
Burning Bridges and scattering ashes in the wind—if need be.
It is being seen and loved; heard and respected, and accepting nothing less.
It is being a safe place, but also leaving spaces where the people have become one with wolf and sheep; fictionalized personas and bluff-charging while following the masses.
It is taking less ‘ish and gaining more Self.
Tiffany Grantham is a North Carolina native, with much of her adult life established in Charlotte, NC. She is an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and received her M.F.A in Writing from Lindenwood University, which further encouraged her appreciation of the written language and community, and a Post Master’s Certificate in University and College Teaching Online from UNC-Charlotte. She is the creator of CreaTiffWriting.com, an outlet for her writing and writing prompts. Since 2020, Tiffany uses CreaTiffWriting prompts to host Charlotte Writers Club’s monthly social write-in; giving a safe space for writers to expand, explore, and spark their creativity. You can find Tiffany’s writing contributions in the essay novel Black Powerful: Black Voices Reimagine Revolution, Sistories Literary Magazine, and on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter blog entitled, Word to Solange and Amanda Seales. Her newest contribution as a co-author is in the upcoming anthology, Mama Stories: Gifts from Our Mothers.
SISTORIES PROMPT
Write in your journal or respond in the comment section below.
Name one area of your life you can choose to be more selfish.
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Some people in your life are waiting to see you step into your full self and power. Write a letter to that person explaining why and how you finally chose (or are choosing) yourself.